Tech

Microsoft Reveals Pricing for Office 2013

Microsoft just announced how it's going to sell the next version of Office, called Office 2013. The new edition has changed dramatically to better match Windows 8, and not just in terms of user interface: This will be the first version of Office that Microsoft sells via subscription.

Microsoft revealed the subscription model when it first unveiled Office 2013, but now we know exactly how much it will cost: $8.33 a month or $99.95 a year. That's for Office 365 Home Premium, which includes all the client software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote and others), but as a subscriber you're now entitled to all software updates and access to web services included with Office, such as continually updated templates.

Microsoft is also throwing in 20GB of SkyDrive storage with the subscription as well as 60 minutes of Skype minutes per month (they don't aggregate). The subscription covers five different devices (either PC or Mac) and — importantly — an number of users. The idea is a family with multiple PCs and Macs in the house only needs to buy one subscription to Office; individuals will see only their files and preferences when they log in with their Microsoft IDs.

There's also Office 365 Small Business Premium, priced slightly higher at $12.50 per month or $149.99 a year. The package is similar, including ongoing updates and the option to install on up to five devices, but the business edition will be for a single user or employee. The business edition also includes more integration with Microsoft's SharePoint, Lync and Exchange services.

Neither edition carries an "initial" fee for the download. Microsoft says the subscription model is the new normal, and that even though Office will be available as a traditional one-time purchase ($219.99 for Home and Business edition, $399.99 for Professional edition), it expects a subscription will make the most sense for many Office customers.

"This release of office is designed in a very different way," says P.J. Hough, Microsoft's corporate vice president of Office development. "We've invested heavily in this new streaming technology for delivering Office to PCs. It'll stream incredibly fast, they'll be able to use the apps while it's streaming, and after it streams to your computer — in a matter of minutes — it behaves a lot like traditional Office. You can go offline or take it on a plane."

So how does the subscription work with Windows RT devices, which will have the Office apps pre-loaded? Using those apps doesn't require a subscription, but you'll only be able to access "subscription content" once you start paying. In any case, however, RT machines won't count against your five-device limit. Updates will likely roll out at a "different rate" for RT devices, says Hough.

"A good analogy is that iOS 6 doesn't install on the first iPad," he says. "At some point, that device actually doesn't get a subset of updates that happen — primarily because devices have changed, in terms of capabilities. So I expect RT devices will feel a little like that. But we're talking years from now."

And what if you need Office right away, and can't wait for Microsoft to formally launch Office 2013? If you can wait until the week of Oct. 19, you should, since starting then Microsoft will offer an upgrade package to anyone buying Office 2010. If you buy the Home Premium edition, you'll get the first year of your Office subscription free, and for the Small Business edition, you'll get three months.

How do you like Microsoft's pricing for Office 2013? Share your thoughts in the comments.

BONUS: A Tour of Office 2013

Microsoft Office 15

Metro Look

Office 15 borrows some design elements from Windows 8, giving the suite of programs a Metro look much like the newest version of Microsoft's desktop and mobile OS.

Word Templates

Templates from Office.com are brought right into Word, along with previews.

5 Star Rating

Clicking on a template will let you get a closer look at a template and see its star rating on Office.com

Familiar Interface

In many ways, Office 15 is the same Office you've become accustomed to over the years.

Video Search

In Office 15 you can search for videos via Bing, on YouTube, or insert an embed code for a video you've found online. Videos can be previewed from directly within your document.

wordvideoembed

Excel

Pivot tables in Excel are easier to use in Office 15.

PowerPoint

PowerPoint has a new Presenter View that privately shows your current and upcoming slides, your presentation time, and your speaker notes at a glance. While you’re doing a presentation, you can zoom, mark up and navigate your slides with touch and stylus.

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